Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The accessibility of public transport in rural areas for people with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments will be progressed in the context of the implementation of 'Transport Access for All', my Department's Sectoral Plan under the Disability Act 2005.

As outlined in 'Transport Access for All', Bus Éireann and some private operators have already introduced low-floor buses on a number of stage carriage and rural routes that were previously served by inaccessible coaches. The Department envisages that by 2015 practically all vehicles to be used for these stage carriage and rural services will be wheelchair accessible and incorporate facilities to assist people with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments.

My Department's Sectoral Plan also refers to the Rural Transport Initiative (RTI) which has been funding thirty-four community transport groups around the country on a pilot basis to address the particular transport needs in their rural areas through the provision of local transport services. The provision of transport for older people and people with disabilities is a core feature of the RTI and this will continue to be the case as the RTI is mainstreamed post 2006. Proposals in that regard are currently being formulated following the recent conclusion of a public consultation process in the matter.